The Honourable Kent Hehr
Veterans Affairs Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0P4
Re: Newfoundland Government and the God of Abraham MIA at Mordor of Beaumont-Hamel.
Dear Minster;
This letter is to convey my utter umbrage at the deeply sacrilegious manner in which your department planned and conducted the 100th ceremonies at Beaumont Hamel, the full story thereof is HERE. While my indignant outrage reached its crescendo during the official ceremony it was rapidly building as I visited the other Caribou sites.
I am hoping that with your Calgarian roots you can appreciate the disrespectful alienation that the Provincial extremities of this once great Confederation feel emanating from the imperial city state of Ottawa. Did you assume your post long after the planning for this event had started or was this a last minute thing starting since you arrived in Ottawa? Not being a Newfoundlander, I can forgive you for having no real idea what Beaumont Hamel means to us; you however have a golden opportunity to rectify and apologize for grievous wrongs perpetrated by your department and others in the planning of this event and in the lack of care the other Caribou sites are getting away from Beaumont Hamel.
"There is no such thing as consistent stupidity as those acting in a randomly stupid manner will occasionally err in your favor"-- Hon. RS Furlong
There is no evidence that any of the minions in your department erred even once in favour of Newfoundland and Labrador or ensured any modicum of respect that the fallen members of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment should have been afforded at this Centenary Memorial on this sacred ground our war destitute forefathers bought over 90 years ago. To add insult to injury, one of our own, MP Seamus O'Regan, one of the latest crop of "trained seals" we have sent off to Ottawa is now siding with Ottawa against the genuine outrage of the Royal Canadian Legion Newfoundland and Labrador Command. Quote from VOCM website "MP Seamus O'Regan says he's upset by the accusation, because he was responsible for much of the events" and even Premier Dwight Ball is tossing the hot potato.
Perhaps as Minister responsible for Veterans Affairs you can get answers regarding the slipshod planning of this event and in general the care and attention given to all the Caribou sites by seeking answers to the following questions, if not by you, then via The Access to Information and Privacy Act.
Why are 4 Caribou sites devoid of any interpretation, Newfoundland/Regimental Coats of Arms, no mention of the "Royal Newfoundland Regiment"; just a big Government of Canada sign?
Why are the members of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment listed in the commonwealth war graves registry database as serving Canada and not Newfoundland which was a Dominion at the time and for whom they paid the supreme sacrifice?
Why were the original Newfoundland Flora on the Monchy-Les-Preux site replaced with a European hedge in the past decade? Was this because your department had failed to keep the site up and the local homeowners had to take matters into their own hands? Is Correspondence on file regarding this removal of flora and if so can copies be provided?
Was there a deliberate attempt to keep the numbers down attending the site though the e-ticket registration system that only sent out verifications in 10-21 days before the event?
This clearly included veterans, members of Royal Canadian Legion, Newfoundland and Labrador command who were treated like second class citizens; why were they only given two VIP seats?
When receiving the e-ticket, why was the restriction on not bringing lenses that could extend more than 10cm not specified in the emailed documentation; and why were some allowed in with such lenses while my whole camera and those of many others confiscated by unapologetic and feckless minions of yours and other departments?
Why was the provincial flag and not the Canadian flag lowered for the Royal Standard when this sacred ground is Newfoundland territory in France, bought by our forefathers?
Why was there no thought of having an overnight candlelight vigil at the Beaumont Hamel site like was offered at Thiepval?
Why was there no official speech by a member of the Newfoundland Government? Was this a deliberate slight by your department and those who planned the event, or did the Province decline an offer?
Why was the Archbishop of Canterbury who was at the earlier Thiepval memorial not requested to give the blessing at this memorial?
How was the Anglican "Padre" chosen to deliver the prayer, considering she came to a Christian cemetery and apologized for praying and instructed us to pray to the God of our understanding? I want all official correspondence regarding how she was chosen or requested for this event?
Is it now the official Department of Veterans Affairs policy under the guise of Christophobic political correctness to strip such memorial services at Christian cemeteries of their Christianity?
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This is a sacred site; we came to honour the dead, not apologize to the easily offended living whose very freedoms were hard won by the supreme sacrifice of those memorialized here!
What was the official planning capacity of MP Seamus O'Regan in these events? What changes did he specifically make considering that he was elected into office the same time as you and assuming that planning had already been in the works by your department?
Perhaps when all these questions are answered in an open and honest manner an appropriate public apology can be issued by you to all who were slighted by this complete lack of integrity, decorum and respect shown this sacred site and event, from the initial planning process to the day of the memorial by your department.
In particular I would request all the planning correspondence that exists on file both email and written form between Veteran's Affairs Canada, MP, Seamus O'Regan and any representatives of the Provincial Government of Newfoundland and Labrador regarding the planning of this event.
The Honourable Kent Hehr
Veterans Affairs Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0P4
Re: Newfoundland Government and the God of Abraham MIA at Mordor of Beaumont-Hamel.
Dear Minster;
This letter is to convey my utter umbrage at the deeply sacrilegious manner in which your department planned and conducted the 100th ceremonies at Beaumont Hamel, the full story thereof is HERE. While my indignant outrage reached its crescendo during the official ceremony it was rapidly building as I visited the other Caribou sites.
